There are laws of physics which Man does not understand because they are beyond human comprehension. The universe is shrinking while it expands. Antimatter is an exotic form of matter in which the electric charge of each particle is the opposite of that in normal matter. Dark matter cannot be seen, felt, tasted or measured, and yet it is the substance that holds all matter together. Gravity pulls, but also repels.
Is there a God? Yes.
Where is He? Everywhere.
You pray to Him or to them, worship one or all. The monotheist is right, there is but one god, and the mystic who prays to many gods is no less correct, for God is everything.
Does God hear you? How could it be otherwise? God is everywhere.
The concept of God is the most godly thing Man has ever done, placing a power above him, accepting a subservient position in the scheme of things. Yet even as he does so, Man tries to become God and therein is a danger to all mankind. Because in fact God is within, as well as without, a part of the particle and a piece of the flesh created as Man. The missing ingredient is wisdom that comes with maturity.
Education may be quickly acquired but sagacity is an extract of experience. Some men more than others, but no man entirely, can accumulate wisdom from schooling. From eons of experience, God has acquired infinite wisdom that is beyond the capacity of a human lifetime. Man can become wise in the span of his life and more so over many lifetimes, but a thousand lives cannot equal the profound knowledge of eternity.
In subsequent incarnations maturity and wisdom accrue. The sum total of infinite wisdom is not the path to riches or power, but realization that serving others is the ultimate enlightenment. Every entity is but a flicker of a finite flame. Before life is extinguished, the more one has given to others the closer is he to God.
So then, therefore, what awakens this entity before the self-appointed year of 2050? To reassure mankind of his survival!
It takes courage to return to human form. The last breath upon Earth was January 3, 1945. From this plane everything mundane has been observed with a detachment that comes with a distant seat overlooking the vagaries of humanity. Much has been admirable; some has been less so.
It serves no purpose to recriminate over foibles of the past. Selecting individuals to criticize reduces a complaint to a fraction of the whole. Instead, let us look upon humanity as an amalgamation of many into a single being and we will call him Man.
Ten thousand years before Christ there were one million humans on the planet Earth. It took 11,800 years to reach a billion in the year 1810. When last this entity took a breath in 1945, despite wars, famines, floods and volcanic eruptions, every person shared the world with two billion, three-hundred thousand other people.
By 2050 the population will exceed ten billion.
Within this century food and water will be in short supply. Deserts will spread as arable soil retreats. The warming of the globe will drive seashore inhabitants to higher ground. The shift of political influence from West to East will cripple existing world powers. Corporations in search of less expensive labor will swing economic centers from one region to another. Population growth will demand more space. Rain forests will be denuded. Extinction of species will escalate until it will seem only the creatures needed by humans will survive. There will be wars. Industrial nations will fight for oil and markets. Poor societies will march under ideological banners. The predominant religion will be Islamic. Instant news worldwide will leave populations depressed, convinced that the world teeters on a precipice of utter destruction. Can anyone blame this entity for his fear of returning? The world will be a mess. And yet—Man will survive.
To know what is coming we have only to examine the past. It is the natural order of things that events are circular. In that maelstrom is the surest proof of life after death: the universe contracts even as it expands. That which has been is destined to be again. It is the nature of nature to recycle. Part of regeneration is the dismantling of what has been to make way for what will be. If things were permanent, there would never be anything new. Old ways are fixed ways. Soil must be turned to be tilled. The past is beneath the feet of the present—that is why archeologists must dig to uncover ancient artifacts.
Man’s memory is short. Lessons forgotten from eons past have doomed societies to national collapse. America is the greatest democracy in the history of the world. But in their day, so were Ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, and Phoenicia. Power alone will not save a nation. The decline of Rome, Spain, and England proves that riches and military dominance do not guarantee an endless existence.
External threats can be defeated. Terrorism, piracy, and ideological warfare are soon identified and abolished. The disease most likely to destroy a great nation comes from within. Its name is greed.
Owning a homestead and having control of one’s environment are nesting instincts found in most species. Territorial protection is based on the need for resources required to survive. At the end of the nineteenth century, the common desire was forty acres of soil, which was the land one man could work to support his American family. By the end of the twentieth century greed demanded more. Adequate was not enough. The avaricious entity craved land he never worked, a home larger than he needed, and possessions beyond adequate. Most creatures devote every hour to the quest for sustenance. Greedy Man strives for possession merely to possess.
The ugliness beyond hoarding is selfishness. The failure to share makes good men mean. Passing a needy entity some men tell themselves money is a bequest that is wasted on vices. What does it matter? Would you help a beggar who hoped to make payment on a house or car? Do not dictate the disposition of a gift. Leave the needy to determine his use of your donation.
The tale of the Good Samaritan has never been more relevant than today. We fear to help the helpless lest we put ourselves in peril. Do not bypass a stranded pedestrian. If you have room, share a ride. While it is true that bad things have happened to generous people, it is a rare and unfortunate consequence of helping others. Most acts of generosity are quietly and gratefully accepted by those in need.
Do not minimize the charity of rich men who give away fortunes. Whatever their motives, the charitable donation is no less beneficent. If a bequeath is given in hopes of reciprocity, it may diminish a gift in the eyes of those who give little or nothing. But the recipient is no less grateful, nor should he be. A wealthy donor should be no less admired because he could afford to give.
If you have a dollar, give a dime. If you have a dime, give a cent. If it hurts to give the gift it is all the more laudable. The end is the same: Helping meet a need is the godly thing to do. If you have no material thing to offer, give sympathy and compassion. If all else fails, give laughter. Humor is emotional currency. Be generous.
Do not be afraid to touch your fellow man. A young hand lifts an elderly heart. A hug and a kiss are transfusions for the ill and infirm. Nothing quickens the blood like the tactile brush of empathetic attendants.
Listen to the lonely. Senescence is a time of great loss: hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. But what the elderly miss most of all is a sense of importance. Companions no longer hear the words an old man speaks, and nobody cares what he thinks. Lean in and listen carefully. There is nothing an aging entity appreciates more than a caring ear. Look him in the eye and eschew platitudes. Respond to what he may say.
He lives in the past because there is precious little future. Ask about years gone by. He will enjoy relating remembrances. Your interest gives his history value, and indeed the elderly mind holds knowledge of things human and divine. He is eager to share, if you inquire. What does he recall from childhood? Things have changed in his lifetime—ask about them.
Know the symptoms of seniority. Tips of the fingers dry and turning a page becomes difficult. Lips benumbed by age make a kiss on the cheek more appreciated than a peck to the mouth. Fear of falling slows the motions. Muscle and bones once vibrant become doddering and feeble. But the brain awaits awakening. You
thful fantasies still abide. Distant dreams are no less vivid.
Stricken in years and decrepit in body, deep within resides the child that once marveled at tadpoles and swam naked in a pond. Awaken that youngster! Play the games he played, wade in the creeks and wander along flowered trails he knew in his youth. Help him recapture the joy of first love. If a name escapes him, it does not matter. In his ancient mind he sees faces from long ago. The scent of spring is a distant memory, but it will freshen if mentioned in conversation. So ask. And listen.
All lives encompass regret. For the unfortunate things we have done, for failure to meet the needs of others, we writhe with unhappy recollections. But it is never too late to change. We cannot undo the past, but the future is ours to mold. Waste no time bemoaning ills from long ago. Instead, take a fresh step forward and make those same errors no more. If the elderly comes to tears, let him weep. Lachrymal baths cleanse the soul and lamentation eases a guilty conscience. But then put aside those unhappy memories and go forth into a new beginning.
2050 is merely tomorrow, and that is only the rebirth. Another twenty years will mold the man that this entity hopes to become. Like all of us embarking on a new human life, memories of this existence will vanish. It is part of the plan, too. If mortal Man knew what to expect on Earth’s plane, when life becomes difficult he would be tempted to end it and return to the pacific scene from which this entity speaks.
Self-annihilation ends a course without a final lesson.
There is purpose in suffering. Hardship is to life what a thickening trunk is to the tree. Torn by storms and ripped by hail, the unbowed tree is made stronger by each successive lashing. Difficulty adds fiber to character. Happiness is a temporary respite, always appreciated, but depth of psyche does not come from serenity. Suffering is good for you.
If you are overcome by adversity, recognize it for what it is. It is your friends in the ether laminating your soul. When troubles are too much to bear, laugh it off. Thus disarmed bad luck will get better.
Let us now discuss the “friends” mentioned herein.
Greeks gave Man the word angel, which means messenger. The Bible names Gabriel and Michael, but scriptures speak of many angels. These are the spirits who attempt to guide you to what is good and right. When you pray, they are the ones who hear you and respond or not, depending on the real need of the entity. Getting what you pray for is not always best for you and this is a decision your friends make on your behalf.
The friends are with you always in dark days and sleepless nights. They stand at your side when troubled, lend strength beyond human capacity, and offer comfort to ease the anguish of loss. They make light the weight that no man can lift. Their voices are whispered intuitions that guide you around the rim of a bottomless abyss. They attend your innermost thoughts and lend counsel in sleep. Listen to those subconscious lessons.
Some thoughts are primitive, but primordial impulse helped animals survive. Suspicion kept dangerous strangers at bay. In the extreme it is racism. As populations expand and technology shrinks the globe, overcoming racial prejudice is more important than ever.
Look beyond dissimilarities of culture and seek the core that all men share. The entity with a different skin, back, and brow is your brother. Embrace him, for you are from one mother of long ago.
Man is the only animal with the intellectual capacity to rise above prejudice. It is wise to know your enemies and wiser still to know those who are no real threat at all. The rise of racism has ancient roots from days when any stranger was a possible foe. In the future it will become more important to cultivate the friendship of others.
It won’t be easy to cast off distrust of the unknown. Every day, the world is exposed to the worst that mankind has to offer. Countless television programs offer detailed reports of rape, robbery, and murder. It is human nature to be captivated by stories of violence, and commercial news outlets know that. An atrocity anywhere may be broadcast everywhere within moments. The viewer is exposed to macabre tales of madness and mayhem. This has a cumulative effect and paranoia deepens. It is natural to assume the world is a treacherous place and people are not honorable.
There will always be dangers, but that is the exception and not the rule. In the end good triumphs over evil because if it did not, civilization would collapse and chaos reign. Make no mistake: it is incumbent upon honorable men to combat evil wherever they find it. But at the same time, be aware of the vast majority of people who live quiet and trustworthy lives. Assume the best until the worst is evident.
Do not live in fear of meteors that can disrupt the world. Yes, these things have happened in the past and will come again in the future, but keep your faith and live life to the fullest today. Tectonic plates collide, volcanoes erupt, and tidal waves sweep cities into the sea. Do not poison today with terrors predicted for tomorrow. Live by the words of the poet who said, ‘Luck’s a chance, but trouble’s sure, face it as a wise man would, train for ill and not for good.’
It is prudent to lay away provisions for tomorrow. Train for ill and you will not be caught wanting. But at the same time cherish moments of peace and happiness.
There is a formula for unhappiness. It comes with sloth. Stay busy and be productive. From work, we derive satisfaction and contentment, so do not remain idle. At the same time it is useless to yearn for work you cannot accomplish. There is no good to come from illogical aspirations. We make ourselves miserable wishing for what we don’t possess, almost always constructed around unrealistic desires and improbable goals. You want to write a novel, but you can’t write. You’d like to be a movie star and can’t act. There are a thousand things you can’t do. There is one thing you can do, and it’s the key to contentment.
Do for others and not for yourself. Volunteer to work a soup line and feed the needy. Join bell ringers at Christmas to help raise funds for the Salvation Army. Let charitable organizations know that you can fold pamphlets and prepare them for mailing. If you are homebound and poverty-stricken, ask what you can do for others using whatever resources are available to you. Giving of yourself will bring rewards, if you do it genuinely. To appear unselfish is not enough. You must truly be bighearted and generous.
By helping others, you are productive and busy, two necessary components of happiness. Meantime, for those unrealistic goals, master the craft and remain resolute. Learn to write. Study acting. Apply yourself to those dreams, but do it concurrently as you help others in need.
And then there is love, the perpetual quest of the human heart. We ache for the company of a caring soul, a compassionate touch, and receptive response. As years go by, love seems all the more elusive. Who could love us in years of declining youth? We lose hair, eyesight fades, and hearing slowly fails. What remains to attract adoration? Ask yourself, why are you searching for affection?
It is a common error to seek love for purely self-indulgent reasons. We all want someone to admire us, bolster our confidence, and elevate the ego. We question, what can this entity do for me? Therefore we must ask, what is love, exactly?
Love is a mutual need between two entities, a symbiotic gratification in which the voids are fulfilled in equal quantity and quality. The greater the dependence and subsequent satisfaction, the deeper emotional attachment will become. In the event of an unbalanced need in which one desires but the other does not, the resulting bond is shallow. Always look for what you can do for the other. Again, the motive must be magnanimous. Expecting nothing as recompense, ask, what need can you satisfy? Under those conditions gratitude can ripen to romance.
In pursuit of love, go forth with generous intent, and by meeting the needs of another, so then will your needs be met.
You look to the prophet for predictions of events to come, and we have dwelled upon personal matters because these attributes determine what will come. Remember this: nothing is immutable; everything is subject to change. It is within the power of the individual to determine his own fate, and collective Man has the awesome ability
to shift the trajectory of history.
Now and then an individual shapes the future with inventions, political persuasion, or theocratic influence. Look at dictators like Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler, whose reigns tragically altered the lives of millions. But then there are entities like Mahatma Gandhi who led a nation to independence.
Let us not forget Jesus Christ and Mohammad; Siddhartha Gautama, who became Buddha; Zarathustra, father of Zoroastrianism; Kong Fuzi, known as Confucius; Vardhamana, the last Jina who founded the Jain community; Laozi, whose psychology and philosophy began Taoism; Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, whose teachings became Sikhism; and Baha’u’llah, from whence rose the Baha’i faith.
Individuals can influence the future in lasting ways for good or for ill. Like a pebble dropped into a pond, every individual has the power to send ripples of influence to the farthest shore. It is a momentous responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Speak with care for you never know the impact of your language. Eschew words of discrimination and hatred. Do not endorse violence. The sum of individual thoughts and actions become the creed of nations.
A silent response is tacit approval and radical thoughts harden in the absence of objection. If confronted with evil, voice disapproval. A negative reaction dampens extremism. Speak up! Let it be known you are not part of a fanatical movement.
Be moderate in all things. It is the way to good health and emotional stability. Remember the readings of long ago: the key to well-being is assimilation, dissemination, and elimination. It is valid in what you eat, but also in what you absorb into the mind. Cruel words poison mental health and pollute one’s outlook. The subconscious is the reservoir of all conscious input. Unkind thought becomes ulterior impulse. Purity comes from cleansed substrata of accumulated thinking.
The Return of Edgar Cayce Page 2
